Elizabeth MacLeod in Alberta

My Book Week tour began with a flight from Toronto to Calgary surrounded by urbane gentlemen who had attended an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event just the night before. Never heard of the UFC? Well, as one of my seatmates explained, “Punchy McKnockOut is the awesomest fighter. He bleeds more than anyone else when he’s hit!”

Yeee-eah. I think I’ll just take his word for it.

I spoke to children in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Picture Butte, Taber, Airdrie — it quickly became a blur. The kid’s desire to participate in my presentation and ask questions after was truly energizing. They still manage to surprise me with their observations and comments and I really appreciate that.

In Medicine Hat, my tour included speaking to a group of adults about writing for children. I can’t forget one participant who survived World War II, and saw such devastating things that she’s torn between recording them and glossing over them because they’re just too painful to re-live. I hope she’s able to find some peace with her dilemma.

My last presentation was magic — literally! I usually complete my talks by telling kids about the incredible life of magician Harry Houdini. When I was finished this time, one student offered to perform a magic trick for everyone. What a great way to wind-up a tour!

And in what other job do you get a student putting up his hand just to tell you, “You’re a nice lady.” What could I possibly say but, “Wow! Thank you!”

And thank you to all of the amazing teachers and librarians who drove me, fed me and shared their lives with me a little. Special thanks to Richard Chase who was the brains behind the operation, co-ordinating all the planes, buses, rides, taxis, hotels and more. And when a few things went wrong, very special thanks to Carolyn Code back at the Book Centre for making them go right so quickly (even just minutes before 5:00 on Friday afternoon!).